Realizing that people are not the same anymore

General

How is the situation in your city/ country?
It is getting better by the day. Nothing compared to when lockdown started. People lost jobs and everything dies down.

How did the atmosphere in your country change since the pandemic started?
Things have changed. People are not the same anymore. People are a bit tense and still in fear. No-one is really comfortable anymore.

How are you and your family?
We are ok. Not very well, but we are getting there. We were certainly not as affected as other families. We could still go to work or work from home. Unlike others who couldn’t. We will forever be grateful for that.

What is the biggest challenge for you during the crisis?
Traveling to and from work. Having to work during the pandemic too. It was not easy, I was afraid. I thought I too was going to die or get extremely sick.

People are not the same anymore.

Measures

When did you realize how serious the situation is?
When the President announced that the first case had been recorded and someone had died from COVID. It was such a devastating moment. I still remember our reaction to the news.

How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
They enforced the mask mandates and put travel restrictions in place.

Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
It was the best they could do.

What would you like to say to your government?
Nothing really.

Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
‘We are in this together’ Cyril Ramaphosa.

When the President announced that someone had died from COVID. It was such a devastating moment.

The Virus

Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes.

Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
I have had COVID before and had to be quarantined for 2 weeks. It was a horrible experience.

Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
Yes I am.

I have had COVID before. It was a horrible experience.

The lockdown

How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
We are still in lockdown. There are restrictions that have been lifted and things are getting back to ‘normal’ slowly.

Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
I was with my family. We watched a lot of TV and played games too.

What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
I missed my friends. I felt lonely. I could video chat them and talk for hours.

I felt lonely during lockdown.

Changes

How did your work situation change since the pandemic started (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
I had shorter hours and was spending twice as much on transport to go to work which wasn’t ideal.

How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
I could not meet with friends due to curfew.

What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
It had a terrible effect. I had to pause my studies because I could not afford to pay for them any longer.

Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
I am still maintaining social distancing and wearing my mask when I’m outdoors.

I had to pause my studies because I could not afford to pay for them any longer.

Perception

Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
The doctors, nurses and everyone who was working during the pandemic.

What did the crisis show you?
That people can work together for the greater good.

What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Spending time with friends.

Which images will you never forget?
People in hospitals. Laying on the floors due to limited space.

Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
I prefer not to share.

The crisis showed me that people can work together for the greater good.

Perspective

What are you afraid of right now?
Dying or having someone close to me die.

What gives you hope?
The vaccine.

Are you planning to travel within the next months?
No, I’m not financially prepared.

Would you get yourself vaccinated or have you already been vaccinated against COVID-19?
I am fully vaccinated.

What can we all learn from this crisis?
That life can change in the blink of an eye. No-one is promised tomorrow.

If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
2020 What a Year.

Life can change in the blink of an eye.